Hockey: Hampstead keep up the momentum

Hampstead and Westminster yesterday maintained their 100 per cent record and two-point gap at the top of the Premier with a 2-1 victory at Guildford.

With the Australian Tim Thompson dominant in midfield and goals from Huw Jones and Mark Sully, Hampstead took a 2-0 lead to the interval. Guildford then got into the game, with Matt Fairburn pulling a goal back in the 41st minute and only a string of saves from Hampstead's Stephen Dodson denying the Surrey side an equaliser. Hampstead then had to defend three penalty corners in the closing 90 seconds. Their relieved coach, Todd Williams, said: "Still at the top. I'm applying for an injunction to have the League stopped now."

Cannock, the defending champions, remain in second after their 3-0 win at Loughborough Students, thanks to two goals from Andy Brogdon and a third from Matt Taylor. St Albans goalkeeper, Malcolm Yull, performed heroics but could not stop Reading running up four goals without reply.

At the bottom, Old Loughtonians and Teddington are still to get their campaigns off the mark. A goal from Bill Waugh gave Surbiton a 1-0 win against Old Boys, while Teddington crashed 4-0 at home to Canterbury. In the First Division, Firebrands kept maximum points with a 2-1 win over Bournville, but Bowdon, 8-1 winners against Beeston, are in pursuit.